There was something unique about the 1950's - young men returning from war to a nation ravished and ripe for one of the greatest booms in civilized history. It was the idea that every young man should marry a young woman and have three darling children. "What I most think about (during the 50s) is the suburbanization of society," said Richard Abrams, a professor of U.S. history at the University of California at Berkeley. "It seemed like a perpetual summertime."
Unlike previous Americans, those in the 1950s lived in a time when consumer values dominated the American economy and culture. The "good life" was defined in economic terms and the dynamic economy provided more leisure and income. Above all, Americans were confident the good life was permanent and they enjoyed flashy cars, televisions, and an openness about sex.
"What I most think about (during the 50s) is the suburbanization of society," said Richard Abrams, a professor of U.S. history at the University of California at Berkeley. "It seemed like a perpetual summertime."
Unlike previous Americans, those in the 1950s lived in a time when consumer values dominated the American economy and culture. The "good life" was defined in economic terms and the dynamic economy provided more leisure and income. Above all, Americans were confident the good life was permanent and they enjoyed flashy cars, televisions, and an openness about sex.
http://geography.about.com/od/populationgeography/a/babyboom.htm